REGENERATION. 361. 4. To give a little further support in reference to our wretched miserable duties, and to them that are in per- plexities on that account, know that Jesus Christ takes whatever is evil and unsavory out of them, and makes them accepted. When an unskilful servant gathers herbs,. flowers, and weeds in a garden, you gather those out that are useful, and cast the rest away. Christ deals so with our performances. All the ingredients of self that are in them he takes away, and adds incense to what remains, and presents it to God. This is the cause that the saints at the last day, when they meet their own duties and performances, know them not, they are so changed from what they were when they went out of their hands: " Lord, when saw we thee naked or hun- gry 1" so that God accepts a little, and Christ makes our little a great deal. 5. Is this an argument to keep thee from believing? The reason why thou art no more holy is, because thou hast no more faith. If thou hast no holiness, it is be- cause thou hast no faith; holiness is the purifying of the heart by faith, or our obedience unto the truth. And the reason why thou art no more in duty, is that thou art no more in believing; the reason why thy du- ties are weak and imperfect, is that thy faith is weak and imperfect. Nast thou no holiness l believe, that thou mayest have; hast thou but a little, or that which is imperceptible 1 be steadfast in believing, that thou mayest abound in obedience. Do not resolve not to eat thy meat until thou art strong, when thou hast no means of being strong but by eating thy bread, which strengthens the heart of man. III. T_m.. POWER OF INDWELLING SIN is another cause Forgiveness. 16
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